Bastions for force protection and military applications

ABSTRACT

A bastion including one or more free-standing structures for use in, for example, military applications and for force protection. The free-standing structures are made up of a plurality of pivotally interconnected fire resistant mesh covered wire panels and are filled with, for example, sand, crushed rock or granular materials.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a bastion. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a foldable multi-cell welded wire structures lined with anexpanded or knitted wire mesh, which can be used, for example, formilitary applications and force protection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of bastions has been traditional ever since Roman times. In theseventeenth and eighteenth centuries it took the form of wicker basketsfilled with earth or stones. In the early twentieth century, sand bagswere used. In the later twentieth century bastions took the form offoldable gabion structures lined with geo-textiles.

This latter application, was basically the use of elements originallydevised for civil works applied to the military use. This structure wasrapidly deployable but its main failing was its lack of fire resistance.At best, a fire retardant composite was used in some situations to delayignition. Use of flame throwers, incendiary bombs, Molotov cocktails andeven tracer bullets of machine guns (one every seven in a belt loader)in combat situations destroys the protection afforded by thisconventional bastion by igniting its lining or sand bags defenses.

Prior art protection barriers suffer from a number of additionaldrawbacks. Visual impact of prior art protection barriers is unsuitablefor deployment within cities and the systems do not provide anyconcealment option. Deployment for long periods of time is alsoproblematic given that barriers are exposed to environmental agents suchas fungus, and UV attacks, that rapidly deteriorate them. Further, priorart protection barriers require intensive maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to produce a protectionbarrier or bastion which overcomes the above described prior artdrawbacks.

A protection barrier or bastion according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention includes a foldable multi-cell structure, for example, formilitary and anti-terrorist use, consisting of structures conformed byhinged welded wire panels lined with knitted wire or expanded metalmesh, linked together to constitute a fire resistant cell structure.This structure is filled with sand, crushed rock or granular materialsand may be camouflaged. Further, the multi-cell structure is deployablein flat or slopped terrain.

The expanded metal mesh or knitted wire mesh lining may withstand aflame thrower attack successfully, without losing particulate fillingmaterial through the openings. At the same time the expanded metal meshor knitted wire mesh lining admits rooting of plants, which helpsmitigate the visual impact of the bastions in the cities. Given thenature of the mesh, the plants will grow over the bastions, changing thehard appearance to look as natural fences melting them with thelandscape.

The expanded metal mesh or knitted wire mesh lining materials are moresuited to resist environmental attacks and are less maintenancedemanding than prior art bastions.

The wall has a continuous volume, and therefore, behaves like amonolithic rather than an adobe like structure.

The infill continuity results in cavities or caverns created by impactof projectiles being filled by material coming from both damaged andadjacent cells, thus, improving the protection offered by the bastion.

The bastion may further include a hinged system that allows continuityof cells at different heights, and thus, for the possibility ofdeployment in slopped terrain.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention maybe embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings areillustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of theinvention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals.The drawings are briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the bastion of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the leftmost and middle cells in FIG.1.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the leftmost and center cells in FIG. 1with an exterior panel in the middle cell disconnected.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the hinge connecting exterior panels of theleftmost and middle cells.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 13.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a single bastion cell having a pivotallyconnected top.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the leftmost cell of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a collapsiblebastion.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rightmost cell with an additionalpanel connected to reinforce a damaged panel.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a filledbastion wall of the present invention including a hexagonal corner unit.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the insert of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 shows the partially filled bastion of FIG. 1 from a differentperspective and without an insert.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the rightmost cell of FIG. 1 with twopins staked to the ground.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bastion including four rows of piledcells.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bastion construction including rowsseparated by structural beams.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a camouflaged bastion on a slopedterrain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The basic components of an exemplary embodiment of a bastion of thepresent invention, generally designated 10, are panels 12 a-12 j. Thepanels 12 a-12 j may be made, for example, from a welded wire frameincluding wires 14 having, for example, diameters between 3 mm and 8 mm.The wires 14 may, for example, have a rectangular pattern with center tocenter distance depending on load, for example, 5 cm to 20 cm. The wires14 may be lined with a metal screen mesh 16 of expanded metal or wireknitted mesh, stitched to the wire frame or connected using staples 18.Alternatively, the panels 12 a-12 j may be configured without a mesh.However, in this case the wires 14 are spaced close together so as toprevent a filler, used to fill the bastion 10, such as sand crushedrocks, granulars, etc., from spilling out.

In the example embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.1, exterior panels 12 a-12 h and interior panels 12 i and 12 j form afoldable three-cell structure of reticular pattern. Bastion 10 may beused, for example, as a force protection system for militaryapplications. The length of the bastion 10 may be as long as desiredwith a minimum of one cell and may extend up to, for example, hundredsof cells.

As best seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, which illustrate close-ups of aconnecting region between two cells 21 and 23, exterior panels 12 f and12 g are pivotally connected at their sides 4 via hinge 30, which allowsfor panel articulation in order to form a reticulate pattern structurethat can be folded. FIG. 2B is the same view as provided in FIG. 2Aexcept a bit closer up and with panel 12 g shown disconnected forclarity. Depending on the height of the bastion 10, a hinge may require,for example, a set of 4 up to 24 tube segments.

Exterior panels 12 f and 12 g each include a set of hinge tube segments20 and 22 respectively. Tube segments 20 and 22 may be welded to theirrespective panels and are matched and aligned with correspondent tubesegments 24 and 26 (FIG. 3) connected to interior panel 12 i by acentering pin 28 a, which passes through the tube segments 20 and 24,and by a centering pin 28 b, which passes through tube segments 22 and26.

Centering pins 28 a and 28 b also function also as an anchoring elementof the system when staked to the ground. FIG. 12 is a perspective viewof the rightmost cell of FIG. 1 with pins 28 e and 28 g staked to theground.

As can be seen in FIG. 2A, tube segments 20 and 22 project at an angletowards the inside of bastion 10. Tubes 20 and 24 are shown using ghostlines because the connection between tubes 20 and 24 via pin 28 a is atleast partially hidden behind panel 12 f. Panels 12 f, 12 g and 12 i areshown connected in the top view of FIG. 3. The remaining panels 12 a-12e are interconnected in an identical manner using pins 28 a-28 m or,alternatively, using straps 32 (FIG. 4).

As illustrated in the top view of FIG. 3, the lining or mesh 16 of theexterior panels 12 f and 12 g at hinge 30 is bent as flaps 34 and isused to avoid infill spills through the space 36 between the pivotablyconnected exterior panels 12 f and 12 g. Flaps 34 may be used to preventspillage between the connection of the other panels as well.

For observation posts and fire back positions, an insert, such as a duct38, may be provided on both interior and exterior panels into which faceinserts 40 may be installed. Duct 38 may have an X or Y shape (from atop view) in accordance with the tactical tooth-saw fire pattern. Duct38 is a rectangular box with a reduced section in a middle section 42and full sections 44 at the faces of the panels. On the outer face ofthe bastion 10 these face inserts 40 may be covered with a metal meshlining (not shown), which both masks the duct 38 and provides protectionagainst objects thrown from outside. At the inner side, a flap gate 46can be provided, for temperature control. FIG. 11 shows the bastion ofFIG. 1 from a different perspective and without the duct 38.

Interior panels 12 i and 12 j do not have full mesh lining allowing thecontinuity of the infill material configuring a monolithic structure.Further, as can be seen in FIG. 6, interior panel 12 i may have hingetubes 34 at a point between its sides, e.g., in the middle, forconnection via pin 28 n to hinge tubes 35 welded to another interiorpanel 12 k, also without mesh lining. Although not shown, interior panel12 k may be similarly pivotally connected to exterior panel 12 e.Alternatively, interior panel 12 k may be free floating, connected toexterior panel 12 e and interior panel 12 i by straps, or supported oneither side by material used to fill the bastion 10.

Once the structure has been anchored, for example, by anchoring pins 28a-n used in the hinges 30, an infill of filling material, for example,sand, crushed rock, or granulars is laid in compacted layers conforminga monolithic structure to complete the defense system. The bastion 10 ofFIGS. 1 and 11 are shown in a partially filled state so as to expose theinterior panels 12 i and 12 j.

The hinged system of the present invention allows for deployment inslopped terrain, as illustrated in FIG. 16, by stepping panels 12 in thevertical direction, i.e., hinging the panels at different heights.

FIG. 9 illustrates a multi-cell structure filled with sand including twowalls 48, 50 connected by a hexagonal corner unit 52. Wall 48 includescells 48 a-48 c and wall 50 includes cells 50 a-50 c. As indicatedabove, the filling of a single cell with two different granulates may beaccomplished, for example, by means of interior panel 12 k (FIG. 6).

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bastion 10 maybe foldable. FIG. 7 illustrates three cells 68, 70 and 72 pivotallypivotably connected at their corners. The cells are shown in a partiallycollapsed state.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a top mesh-linedcover panel 54, as illustrated in FIG. 5, may be pivotally or otherwiseconnected to a top of any given bastion cell. The panel 54 mitigates theaction of whirlwinds and drafts caused by nature or machinery.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIG. 13, the bastion 10 is a multiple height or piled bastion includinga base having four columns 56 a-56 d of multi-cell structures, a secondrow having three columns 58 a-58 c, a third row having two columns 60 aand 60 b and a top row having a single column 62. The panels in each rowmay be connected to adjacent rows using metallic or plastic straps 32that align and fasten the layers, as detailed in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is across section taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 13. The multi-cellstructures may be piled directly on top of each other or may beseparated by a structural element 64, such as a structural beam, flatboard, steel deck or plate, as illustrated in FIG. 14.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the above mentionedmaterials constituent of the system, are resistant to fire attacks andtropical conditions, thus allowing for a longer life expectancy, andreutilization of the elements.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the screen or mesh16 lining allows rooting of vegetation, thus providing camouflage to thesystem. FIG. 15 illustrates a bastion system of the present inventioncamouflaged by natural elements, such as vegetation.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the panel's wiremesh, hinges and expanded metal mesh are environmentally resistant todamage like rust, UV, fungus attack, etc., by means of galvanicprotection, or polymeric coating.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the structure maybe used as basic constituent for constructions and fortifications,supporting a roof structure.

Repairs can be made to the bastion by replacing a damaged panel 12 or bystrapping an overlapping new panel 66 over an existing damaged panel 12,as illustrated in FIG. 8.

As illustrated in the figures, the panels form box shaped structures.However, three or more panels may be joined in the manner taught aboveto form other shaped free-standing structures having, for example,triangular or hexagonal cross sections when viewed from above. Thesefree-standing structures may then be interconnected, for example usinghinges or straps, to form bastions of varying shapes and sizes.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present inventioncan be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

1. A bastion comprising: at least three exterior wire panelsinterconnected so as to form a free-standing structure, each panelpivotally interconnected along each of two sides to an adjacent panel bya hinge connection, said wire panels being covered by one of a metalscreen mesh of expanded metal or wire knitted mesh at least one ofstitched to the wire frame and connected using staples, said wire panelsand mesh being fire resistant.
 2. The bastion of claim 1, whereinadjacent side panels are connected in the hinge connection by a pinwhich passes through a first set of hinge tubes connected to oneexterior panel being connected and a second set of hinge tubes connectedto another exterior panel being connected.
 3. The bastion of claim 1,wherein at least two of the exterior panels are pivotally connected by astrap.
 4. The bastion of claim 1, where the free-standing structure isfilled with at least one of sand, crushed rock and granular materials.5. The bastion of claim 1, further comprising a duct having a slot whichpasses through the free-standing structure.
 6. The bastion of claim 5,wherein the duct has two opposite faces each of which connect to adifferent side panel.
 7. The bastion of claim 5, wherein the duct has aflap gate.
 8. The bastion of claim 5, wherein the duct has a reducedcentral cross section.
 9. The bastion of claim 1, wherein the bastioncomprises at least two free-standing structures each of which comprisehinges, at least one hinge of each free-standing structure pivotallyconnected to one hinge of another free-standing structure.
 10. Thebastion of claim 1, wherein the bastion is configured to be collapsible.11. The bastion of claim 1, wherein the panels share a common height andthe pin is longer than the common height.
 12. The bastion of claim 11,wherein the pin is staked to the ground.
 13. The bastion of claim 1,wherein the bastion comprises at least two vertically stackedfree-standing structures.
 14. The bastion of claim 13, furthercomprising a structural beam between each stacked free-standingstructure.
 15. The bastion of claim 1, further comprising a top panelone of hinged and strapped to a top of the free-standing structure. 16.The bastion of claim 1, wherein each panel includes at least one meshflap configured to cover an opening in an adjacent hinge.
 17. Thebastion of claim 9, wherein at least one of the free-standing structuresis hexagonal.
 18. The bastion of claim 1, wherein the mesh covered wirepanels and the pins are at least one of provided with a polymericcoating and galvanic protection.
 19. The bastion of claim 1, wherein thefree-standing structure includes an interior panel at least one ofsupported by a filler material used to fill the free-standing structureand connected to at least one exterior panel via one of a hingeconnection and a strap.
 20. The bastion of claim 1, wherein thefree-standing structure includes at least 6 exterior panels and at leastone interior panel pivotally connected on one side in a hinge-likemanner with two adjacent exterior panels and pivotally connected withtwo other adjacent exterior panels on an opposite side in a hinge-likemanner.
 21. The bastion of claim 20, wherein the at least one interiorpanel includes first and second hinge tubes connected on each side, thefirst hinge tubes hinged with a first exterior panel via a first pinwhich passes through the first hinge tubes and hinge tubes connected tothe first exterior panel, the second hinge tubes hinged with a secondexterior panel via second pin which passes through the second hingetubes and hinge tubes connected to the second exterior panel, the firstand second exterior panels being pivotally interconnected adjacentpanels.
 22. The bastion of claim 19, wherein different filler materialsare used on opposite sides of the interior panel.
 23. The bastion ofclaim 19, wherein at least one of the first pin and the second pin islonger than a height of the panels.
 24. A method for repairing abastion, said bastion comprising at least three wire exterior panelsinterconnected so as to form a free-standing structure, each panelpivotally interconnected along each of two sides to an adjacent panel bya hinge connection, said wire panels being covered by one of a metalscreen mesh of expanded metal or wire knitted mesh at least one ofstitched to the wire frame and connected using staples, said wire panelsand mesh being fire resistant, comprising strapping a new panel over adamaged panel.